ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QMR5A: problems, parts and running costs

Checked: 2026-10-18

Summary

The 24.5-inch 1080p Fast IPS panel is built for competitive play, and what usually goes wrong is settings rather than hardware: the 310Hz mode is an overclock the manual warns can flicker, and an owner review of the sibling VG259QMRL5A reports it softens in-game icons and crosshairs. Running cost is electricity only, under 16W typical. It is a good buy at the about-$150 sale price owners have paid for the sibling; near the $200 reference the tilt-only stand and 300cd/m² panel are harder to justify.

Common problems and fixes

Initial flicker and uneven brightness — the manual lists some initial flicker and slightly uneven brightness depending on desktop pattern as normal behavior for this series. Fix: usually settles in; if it persists, the 30-calendar-day return window and 3-year Rapid Replacement cover a replacement. [4][3]
ELMB Sync drops out below high frame rates — owner guidance from the VG259QM family says ELMB Sync is usable only above roughly 200 fps, and recommends ELMB on with Adaptive Sync and V-Sync off for strobing. Fix: follow that setup or expect blur reduction to drop out in slower games. [6]
Overdrive needs per-refresh tuning — the same owner thread suggests overdrive around 80 above 200 fps, 60 down to 120Hz, and 20 below that. Fix: match overdrive to the frame rate you actually get. [6]
Nominal HDR — 300cd/m² typical brightness with no DisplayHDR certification means HDR10 support only accepts an HDR signal rather than delivering a strong HDR picture. Fix: leave HDR off in games and media. [1]

Parts and consumables

DisplayPort cable — included in the US eShop box with power cord, L-shaped screwdriver, quick start guide and warranty card; this is the cable that carries 310Hz. [3]
HDMI cable — the manual lists it as optional and it is not in the US eShop box; owners who want HDMI will buy one. [4][3]

Yearly running cost

Electricity only. The panel draws under 16W typical, under 0.5W in power saving and under 0.3W off, so with daily use the draw is a few dollars a year at typical US rates. There are no filters, pods or subscriptions for this monitor. [1]

When it is a good buy

An owner on r/Monitors reported paying about $150 for the sibling VG259QMRL5A on sale, against a $200 reference [5]. At that level the 310Hz, Fast IPS, FreeSync Premium, G-SYNC compatibility and 3-year warranty package is competitive for 1080p esports.